FLIGHT BY THE DUKE

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1935, Page 7

FLIGHT BY THE DUKE

FINE VIEW OF SNOW PEAKS ABOVE LAKES AND MOUNTAINS. LANDING NEAR BURNING TYRE. ENGLISH AIR MAIL ARRIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, Last Night. Making his first aeroplane flight in New Zealand, the Duke of Gloucester flew for two hours this morning over the lakes and mountains of the Southland province in a Puss Moth service machine piloted by Flight-Lieutenant M. W. Buckley* The weather, which was almost ideal for flying, held until the return journey, When a strong westerly head wind was encountered. The Duke, who, like the pilot, did not wear a parachute, was delighted with the flight, particularly as it afforded him an opportunity to obtain a birds-eye view of some country that he did not see during his scheduled tour of Southland. The route of the flight followed a rectangular course from the Southland club’s aerodrome, across the mountain tops toward Lake Manapouri and thence io Lake Te Anau, over the beautiful Eglinton Valley to Lake WakatipU. Most of the mountain peaks were visible and the Prince had an unrivalled view of the snow peaks of Mt. Aspiring, 9600 feet An extensive cloud bank hanging like a pall obscured the anticipated sight of the Sounds. The maximum height reached during the flight was a little over 9000 feet. j Flight-Lieutenant Buckley made a perfect landing but pullgd- up almost on top of a smouldering moto- tyre used as a wind indicator. There was no risk of the plane catching fire, however, as it merely passed over the spot, which was a blind one to the pilot. Members of the Duke’s suite also spent the morning flying service machines. Captain Schreiber, one of the equerries, with Captain Tweedie as passenger, piloted the local Fox Moth. SURF BATHING AND TENNIS. Miles upon miles of unbroken foreshore with white-crested waves breaking on golden sands provided the setting for a surf-bathing expedition by the Duke of Gloucester and his staff this afternoon. There were thousands of bathers present on the Oreti beach, five and ahalf miles from Invercargill, but such was the expanse of beach that few, if any. of the sight-seers saw His Highness in the water. . A good surf was running ana tne Prince had a splendid time. After a picnic lunch dt the beach the Duke played several sets on the tennis court at the home of Sir Robert Anderson. The Royal train, which was the subject of considerable public attention while standing at the little station of Waikiwi, three miles, from Invercargill, left in the evening for Kingston, where the party will to-morrow join the Queenstown steamer. Commandeering a railway jigger and moving through the Waikiwi stationwith General Howard Vyse and Captain Howard Kerr as his crew, the Duke pulled vigorously up the line to a crossing this evening. Then the jigger was lifted round and the trio returned shouting and laughing like boys and upsetting the gravity of the official party and train crew. It was a strange contrast to His Royal Highness’ earlier ride in the aeroplane and his fast motor ride to the beach. Landed at Auckland on Saturday morning, the special English air mail for the Duke of Gloucester was opened and read by His Highness at Invercargill at 7.45 p.m. on Saturday. The mail, which contained letters and several packages, left London on December 22 and was delivered at Auckland by the Mariposa at 6.35 a.m. on Saturday. It was picked up at 8.40 by Flight-Lieutenant Wallingford and flown post haste to Invercargill. The trip was uneventful and occupied eight and a-half hours actual flying time. Stops for refuelling were made at Palmerston North and the Wigram aerodrome. Slight head winds were encountered most of the way. The plane arrived at Invercargill at 7.30 p.m. The mail was taken by motor-car to the Royal train at Waikiwi and delivered to His Highness within a few minutes of arrival.